Estonian prosecutors have opened criminal proceedings over suspected betting fraud in a second-tier match involving Maardu Linnameeskond, escalating a football-association disciplinary case that led to three temporary bans.
The case concerns the Sept. 10 Esiliiga match between FC Tallinn and Maardu, which referee Jagnar Jakobson abandoned in the 78th minute. Maardu had taken a 2-1 lead early in the second half, then conceded three goals in seven minutes and gave away a penalty, leaving roughly 12 minutes of regular time unplayed.
The Estonian Football Association opened a disciplinary investigation into possible breaches of its regulations and, on Sept. 10, barred Maardu head coach Deniss Kovtun and players Artjom Volkov and Vladislav Tšurilkin from all football-related activity while it continues. The suspected breaches include integrity principles, direct or indirect involvement in betting, pre-arranging a match’s course or outcome, and failures to report such activity.
The association subsequently filed a complaint with prosecutors based on material gathered in its inquiry. Northern District Prosecutor Siret Vaher-Torni said the complaint raised suspicions that football results may have been manipulated for financial gain; the criminal case will test the validity of the information submitted and establish the roles of people who may have been involved.
The football association is cooperating with international football organisations, while Maardu has indicated that it will cooperate. The club announced on Sept. 22 that it was suspending its league participation and had stopped training.
The association postponed Maardu’s Esiliiga match against Tallinna Levadia U21 after receiving additional information and identifying what it described as extensive problems during the inquiry. The Esiliiga sits below Estonia’s top-flight Meistriliiga.
Abandoning a match on suspected betting-fraud grounds is an exceptional measure used when the association has relevant information to combat fraud. Two Estonian league matches had previously been called off over such suspicions, in the top division in 2013 and the Esiliiga in 2016; both were later rescheduled.
The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee is due to review the temporary sanctions when it receives further information or once the investigation ends.
